BC is looking to continue an impressive start in the ACC while Virginia is hoping to recover from an ugly loss at Maryland last week. Although we can’t derive much from BC’s easy win over Ball State last week, a tough loss to Florida State and a big win over Clemson have shown that the Eagles can compete in the ACC. There’s not a bigger team in the league, and no team in the country controls the clock better than BC.

On the other hand, Virginia has a ways to go. Maryland racked up 570 yards against the Cavaliers. Plus, when I look at BC’s excellent run defense (ranked second in the nation), Virginia’s chances come down to quarterback Marques Hagans’ ability to make some big plays.

For a time we looked at Virginia as the up-and-coming team in the ACC. Boston College looks like that team now.

It seems Boston College can afford to give Quinton Porter time to rest his
sore ankle.

The 18th-ranked Eagles have gotten solid play from Matthew Ryan, Porter’s
replacement, and appear confident with either player as they return to Atlantic
Coast Conference action with a matchup against Virginia on Saturday.

Ryan ran for a pair of first-half scores and threw a touchdown pass in the
fourth quarter, leading Boston College (4-1, 1-1) to a 38-0 win over Ball State
last Saturday.

Ryan started for the second straight week for Porter—sidelined with a
right ankle injury that occurred two weeks ago in a loss against Florida State
— and completed 21 of 29 passes for 206 yards with no interceptions.

Tom O’Brien has made it clear Porter will start again once he is healthy,
but Ryan’s play has afforded the coach some time to make sure his
first-stringer is absolutely ready. Eagles quarterbacks have combined to
complete 68 percent (107-for-158) of their passes.

“He’s going to have to make some improvement this week to be able to
play,” O’Brien said of Porter. “I think as long as Quinton can play and not
further injure himself or injure the football team by playing, he will play.
We’ll have to wait and see.”

Boston College had 471 total yards, 223 on the ground, in its final
nonconference game of the season.

The Eagles also continued their outstanding play on defense, holding Ball
State to 46 yards rushing and 159 total yards. They lead the ACC and are second
in the nation in rushing defense, holding opponents to 53 yards per game.

Virginia (3-1, 1-1) surrendered 570 yards in a 45-33 loss to Maryland last
Saturday, and dropped out of the Top 25 on Sunday.

The 570 yards were the most allowed by the Cavaliers since Georgia Tech got
627 in 2000.

Marques Hagans threw for 270 yards and scored two rushing touchdowns, and
Virginia got four field goals from Connor Hughes. Chris Cook also returned an
interception 30 yards for a touchdown, but the Cavaliers just couldn’t keep up
with Maryland’s offense.

“We didn’t score enough. We gave up too much,” coach Al Groh said.

Boston College has won each of the two meetings between these teams,
including a 31-13 victory in the 1994 Carquest Bowl.